Stranded in Florida for 24 hours because the airline cancelled my connecting flight, I found the nearest botanical gardens for entertainment.

Indian peacocks paraded around the grounds delighting visitors with their size and beauty.

It’s hard to believe that this is a male bird. The long, exquisite train of feathers reminds me of a queen’s elegant tresses.

The iridescent blue of the neck and chest alone makes for striking adornment.

The peacock’s call is very loud, startling even, if you have never heard it before.

The regal blue transitions into a golden-green iridescent patch on the back surrounded by a black and white feather pattern that includes rust-orange on the sides of the body.

The striking tail feathers are marked by bright blue and green “eyes.”

His claws are impressive and can be used to threaten competitors during mating time.

But nothing rivals the full display of the feathers in a radial pattern.

When he has assured himself that I admired him sufficiently, he begins to twirl until his backside is visible signaling the end of the show.

It must take considerable strength to raise the weight of these feathers and then to fly high up into the trees, or even just up on the roof shed as is the case here. I like to think that the male is joining his bride up there on the roof.

41 Responses to The Dance of the Peacock

You captured these remarkable birds really well! I used to live near the LA County Arboretum where a flock of peacocks live. I can almost hear the loud “Halp!” that these gorgeous birds screech–coming out of the blue at night, the screams can sound like a human in trouble! ; ) Thanks for the memories and glorious photos!

Aren’t their cries amazing – they definitely dominated the air waves (and there were lots of other birds present). I was tempted once to adopt a few peacocks but when I heard that they roost even on top of your roof, I had second thoughts. Although, it is romantic to think of a few peacocks strutting up and down my driveway 🙂

Peacocks are somehow a piece of art to me. They present so much of presence…..if that makes sense. Where were you heading at on your flight delay…..and is an art to make the best of an situation like yours…..

Yes, they certainly do make a magnificent couple. Their calls haunt me. They sound like a babies crying and I want to go help. Not a bad place to be stranded for 24 hours. The colors are so vibrant. Which botanical garden in Florida was this? Next time I’m stranded in FL I want to visit. 🙂

This was the Flamingo Gardens (Botanical Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary) just outside of Fort Lauderdale. They nurse injured birds and other wildlife back to health, so you can see all kinds of eagles, hawks, egrets and pelicans up close. Very cool.

While I am pondering a late-winter getaway to the more Southern parts of the country, this blog post popped up in my statistics. I am looking forward to seeing birds again. The very first robins arrived today, thin and sleek from their migration, and I was delighted to see them. But there is nothing more beautiful than a dazzling peacock…enjoy the colors and poses!